GMPTA project wins transport award

Date published: 03/11/2006

An innovative project, which helps disabled people build the confidence needed to use public transport, has won an award.

The Travel Training initiative, which is funded by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), has been honoured at the annual UK Bus Awards in London.

GMPTA has invested almost £180,000 in travel training projects in Greater Manchester this year. Similar schemes are also being developed elsewhere in the UK using a unique guide which has been produced by GMPTA as part of the initiative. The guide has also attracted interest from Europe, Australia and the USA.

Vice Chairman and Rochdale spokesperson Councillor Allen Brett collected the "Accessibility’ award on behalf of GMPTA. He said: "Travel is a part of everyday life and the ability to travel is something that most people take for granted. However, for some, travelling alone can be a real challenge.

"The Travel Training initiative helps people to make bus, train and tram journeys confidently, safely and by themselves. I’m delighted that it’s received national recognition at the UK Bus Awards.

"We want to be able to help as many people as possible to use public transport in Greater Manchester. The Travel Training project helps us to achieve that."

The 2006 UK Bus Awards took place at the Hilton Hotel in London on Wednesday lunchtime. Manchester’s free city centre bus service, Metroshuttle, was also shortlisted for the awards and was the runner up in the "Successful Partnership’ category.

Travel training includes a wide range of help and support. Some people need short-term help to familiarise them with how public transport works in their area and to give them the confidence to use it alone. Others need a one-to-one personalised training programme that might take place over a period of weeks or months.

The Together Trust, GMATL (Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd), BASIC (Brain and Spinal Injuries Charity) and Bury People First were awarded grants earlier this year to develop the first year of travel training schemes.

People recovering from a brain injury, young disabled people and people with learning disabilities are among those who will benefit from the investment. The training makes it much easier for people to get a job or to reach education facilities as they are able to travel independently.

Further information about travel training is available in the "Accessible Transport’ section of the GMPTE website (www.gmpte.com) or by calling 0161 242 6243.